wallpaperThe title object which serves as the primary symbol depicting the protagonist's mind and her gradual descent into madness.
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Paper that is pasted in vertical strips over the walls of a room to provide a decorative or textured surface."She was obsessed with the patterns of the yellow wallpaper."
madnessA recurring motif in the book, representing societal perception of women's mental health during the time period.
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The state of being mentally ill."Her supposed madness was merely a product of her confinement."
Extremely foolish behaviour."Some people saw her behavior as madness."
confinementA major theme in the book, referring to the protagonist's physical and psychological confinement.
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The action of confining or state of being confined."Her confinement to the room only made things worse."
feminismAn underlying theme in the book, showcasing the struggle for women's rights.
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The advocacy of women's rights on the ground of the equality of the sexes."'The Yellow Wallpaper' is often viewed as a significant early work of American feminist literature."
sanityA central concept in the book, gradually loses by the protagonist.
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The ability to think and behave in a normal and rational manner; sound mental health."She began to question her own sanity as her obsession with the wallpaper grew."